Hair care after chemotherapy

hyacinth003 · ‎03-12-2010

My hair is growing back in. I am still on a drug that has a chemotherapy element to it, but is said not to affect hair much. We'll see! To be honest, I have found this very traumatic. It also affected my eyebrows and eyelashes. So much for years of Latisse! Never needed brow products until this.

I purchased 2 wigs, but don't use them for some reason. I don't go out much and I have used head coverings. I don't even like to look in the mirror - vain I guess.

I have asked the doctor about hair supplements and was told it was okay. I never got totally bald, but you still look bald. My hair is maybe 1/2 to 1 inch long from my scalp. At this stage it feels fairly thick, but who knows. It has grown in salt/pepper in color. My natural color is auburn, which I hope to go back to. My body hair is growing back.

Does anyone know of any products that help with the growing in phase? I lost it fairly quickly when it started. Anything that helps it grow in and be nice? Thanks!

Hyacinth

Love my grandkids · ‎11-24-2013

@hyacinth003 No advice but as a 6 year cancer survivor I truly wish you all the very best. I didn't lose any hair but it stopped growing for months, which was cool because I didn't have to shave my legs at all.

After chemo my hair finally returned to what I call normal.

Take care and hope all goes well for you.

hopi · ‎03-09-2010

@hyacinth003

Did they give you a folic acid script during your chemo treatments, It does help your hair grow and they will probably let you continue to take if you ask them.

CamilleP · ‎03-09-2010

@hyacinth003 I never lost my hair to chemo, but I was thinning badly due to genetics and age, and I have successfully reversed that trend by daily use of WEN Botanical Scalp Tonic. My part and hairline, which were, respectively widening and receding, are now back to what they were in my 20's and 30's, and I'm now in my late 60's. I also use WEN cleansing conditioners and styling products, so I am happy with the line, but that scalp tonic is my desert island product, I never want to be without it. Best Wishes!

hyacinth003 · ‎03-12-2010

@hopi wrote:
@hyacinth003

Did they give you a folic acid script during your chemo treatments, It does help your hair grow and they will probably let you continue to take if you ask them.

@hopi

No, they did not give me folic acid or other supplements. I asked about Omega 3 fish oil, CoQ10, and a hair growth supplement. They said okay. I heard another patient ask about "Balance of Nature" which they okayed.

The drug I am on is Kadcycla.

Hyacinth

Linmo · ‎12-16-2013

@hyacinth003 I am not a cancer survivor, but I wish you strength on your journey. I am someone with very thin and fine hair. A few years ago I started putting a couple of drops of Isomers Copper P serum on my scalp everyday, According to my stylist, my hair is much thicker and fuller than it used to be. And at 63, the new hair is coming in at my natural hair color brown instead of grey.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

@hyacinth003 --congrats on getting to this part of your adventure!! I went thru breast cancer in 2012---had mastectomy of the left breast with 6 nodes removed. Went thru 5 months of chemo than 33 days of rads. Lost every last hair on my entire body and I mean EVERYWHERE!!! I got 3 wigs and wore them often--they were awesome. My hair grew back fast after chemo and during radiation. It came back salt and pepper too--I had dark blond /medium brown hair before. At first it was curly and I thought Hurray!!! I had stick straight hair before but as it grew it returned to my former normal hair. Today it is thin and fine and stick straight--again!----I really don't think there is anything that will help grow it back except good nutrition and gentle hair products. I did take a supplement that had biotin in it and I think that helped fill in the gaps. But the so called miracle hair products are really not, so don't waste your $$. It takes time for things to normalize so be patient with yourself--you've been thru alot and need to be kind and just get thru these "new" days of health. And you need to be proud of yourself for all you went thru-don't dodge that mirror!! I bet the people that love you think you are beautiful!!!

Lilysmom1 · ‎11-08-2020

@wagirl What a lovely post!

@hyacinth003 , I totally agree with @wagirl . I bet your loved ones think you are beautiful too. I love the sound of the head coverings.

Sending best wishes to you on this journey. LM

KLm · ‎12-03-2010

@hyacinth003 I am still in treatment. After 2 bone marrow transplants and massive chemo, I lost most hair and had my son shave off the rest. It took time for it to grow in. This last time I used a peptide hair serum and a small scalp massager from Amazon every day until I saw results.

I no longer color my hair, and I struggle with dryness, but I have more hair now than I expected would return after those first six months post losing it. I wore wigs but usually just wore head coverings. I have always taken a hair skin and nails supplement.

As for the mirror, for me it wasn't vanity but the visual reminder of what I struggle with that made it hard to see myself without hair.